Original subtitles

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty III: To Chang'an]

[Episode 14]

To be honest,

I've loved

folk storytelling since I was a child.

Sir,

what story will you tell us today?

I want to go to the capital,

but I got lost here.

Could you give me directions?

Well...

Didn't you say

you'd let me in to rest for a bit?

I said...

we'd rest together.

You're so naughty.

Sounds like...

neither the scholar nor the lady

were human.

Indeed.

What a pity for that lady.

Can't you tell something else?

Your story is too scary.

Scary as it may be,

everyone loves to hear it.

Don't believe me?

Ask everyone here.

General,

this story is too frightening.

Don't you agree?

-Let's stop listening. -Sir.

Don't be afraid.

As long as you have this Bai Ze Scroll,

whether you're traveling

or staying home,

it'll ward off evil

and keep you safe.

Only 90 cash each.

[Bai Ze Scroll]

Fair price.

So you two as a couple,

one tells ghost stories

and the other uses them to sell scrolls.

You're no hermits.

You're merchants!

The temple keeper is generous and kind-hearted.

Travelers can rest here

for free,

food and shelter included.

But as time goes by,

how can we afford it?

I can only

do some sewing to get by.

Why don't you...

buy a cloth doll?

Only 100 cash.

How much?

100 cash?

Come on.

Look at them.

The dolls you made

all look strange,

like burial figurines.

And 100 cash?

Who would buy them? Come on.

Yes.

Since no one would buy them...

I can only sell them to ghosts.

But this Bai Ze Scroll is different.

It's specifically for humans to ward off ghosts.

Isn't that still just selling things?

Just nonsense.

Nowadays in Chang'an,

a bushel of rice sells for only a dozen cash,

and you're charging 90 cash for a scroll.

Aren't you being too greedy?

That's right.

They say all merchants are cunning.

See?

Just as expected.

You sly merchants.

What do you know?

This Bai Ze Scroll

is an original from the Western Zhou.

The drawings of ghosts

and the methods

to subdue them

are extremely accurate.

You're saying this is an original from the Western Zhou?

May I take a look?

90 cash.

I just want to take a look.

If it really is from the Western Zhou,

I'll buy it.

Don't get it dirty.

He actually believes it?

What happened

to that scholar

and that lady in the end?

-Yeah. -Go on.

I won't stay to listen.

I'm really too tired.

I won't listen anymore.

Well, Wei,

please go rest in the west wing first.

I just checked.

The west wing is one big room

for 4 people.

It's not spacious,

but it'll do.

Ding, guys,

please bear with it.

What about the east wing?

The east wing is divided into 2 rooms.

One is for Commander Li,

and the other

will be shared by Su Wuming and me.

Temple keeper,

we have a guide with us.

Can you find him a place to rest

in this main hall?

Certainly.

Lu, you're the leader.

We'll follow your arrangements.

General,

I'll go rest first.

You guys keep drinking.

-Stay a little longer. -He's at the exciting part of the story.

I'm going. I'm going.

Do you dare to go to sleep alone?

I'm leaving.

Commander Li, want to stay and keep listening?

I have no interest

in these ghost stories.

Su Wuming.

What about you?

I'm not tired.

I'll stay a bit longer to read it.

She told me this is an original from the Western Zhou.

I haven't verified it yet.

I mainly want to hear

the temple keeper finish the story.

-Yeah. -Yeah.

Hurry.

Keep going.

Keep going.

Alright!

As I was saying, the lodging girl

was about to bite the scholar when,

suddenly, looking up,

she noticed that on the wall in the candlelight,

there was no shadow of the scholar.

She was terrified.

On this romantic night,

why do you want to leave?

You don't have a shadow either?

You're not human?

Of course I'm not human.

You just realized that now?

Too late.

The two evil demons in the room

are actually hiding together?

Come out and meet your end!

Just as the two demons

were at a loss,

a deafening roar

rang out,

and an exorcist burst in

wielding a demon-subduing staff!

Wait.

Roar?

Is that exorcist also a...

Do you really think this exorcist

is really an exorcist?

Don't keep us guessing.

What kind of creature made that roar?

A tiger? A lion?

Yes!

Well...

What kind of roar was that?

It was neither a tiger's roar nor a lion's.

General,

did you also hear that roar?

Yes.

But it's hard to tell what kind of beast it was.

Could it be Bai Ze?

Wei, you really believe there's a Bai Ze?

Of course I do.

Otherwise,

why would His Majesty order us

to search for it in the mountains?

General.

Judging by the sound, it shouldn't be far.

I wish to join you in the search.

If we find Bai Ze,

when the rewards are given...

General,

could you include me?

Official Wei,

it rained heavily earlier,

and the mountain path is muddy.

Please go back and rest first.

We can search for Bai Ze

first thing tomorrow morning.

Don't panic.

It's not unusual to encounter wild beasts in the mountains.

If the scholar and the lady

in my folk storytelling appear,

that would be truly unusual.

That's true.

Who is the temple keeper?

My wife and I

would like to stay for the night.

Wait.

Are you

humans?

Of course we are.

I'm a scholar.

My surname is Shi,

and this is my wife.

I have a name.

My wife

is called Jiao.

Why are you here in the mountains?

Why are you here in the mountains?

You didn't also take the wrong path

like us, did you?

We were

on our way to Chang'an.

To take a shortcut,

we accidentally entered the mountain.

Then came the heavy rain.

We're in quite a mess.

[Scholar Shi] [Jiao]

We even heard the roar

of a wild beast earlier—

it nearly scared us to death.

Luckily,

we found this temple.

So you're here to stay the night?

Do you recognize this statue?

Isn't that Deity Bai Ze?

We worship his statue at our home too.

It's the best for warding off evil spirits.

Honey,

let's go pay our respects.

Of course, Honey.

More visitors?

They're quite devout.

Hurry up.

If you're not buying,

don't waste my time.

I'll sell it to that couple for 90 cash.

Commander Li, why haven't you gone to sleep?

Did you hear

the beast's roar too?

I want to avenge Huo Jing.

Official Lu, are you sharing the east wing with me

to protect me,

or to keep watch on me

so I won't go out

to kill that scoundrel Huo You?

It is said that Huo You pushed Huo Jing off the cliff,

but no one actually saw it.

Besides,

we entered the mountain on imperial orders.

Until we return to the capital to report,

please be patient,

I am the Yongzhou Judicial Official,

and the incident happened within my jurisdiction.

Once we return to the capital to report,

I'll see this case

through to the end.

If it was truly Huo You who did it,

I will show no mercy.

Do you think I would believe you?

You're all Imperial Guards,

birds of a feather.

The two sides fought fiercely.

In the end, the two demons joined forces,

threw the exorcist

onto a stone slab,

and stomped hard on his spine

until it broke.

Then the two demons looked at each other, smiled,

and walked away

hand in hand.

Wait.

Didn't you just say

this exorcist

was no ordinary exorcist?

How did he die so quickly?

Exactly.

I thought he would be more formidable.

Why did they break his spine?

Yes.

This method

was indeed strange.

Well...

Could these two demons

be the legendary weight-bearing ghosts?

You even know about weight-bearing ghosts?

I know a little.

Legend has it,

if a weight-bearing ghost

wants to return to the human world,

it must find a replacement

and kill them.

If the person being killed

dies sitting up,

3000 years later,

they can find

a new successor.

But those two demons

broke the exorcist's spine,

so he must have died lying down.

Anyone who dies lying down

can never

choose a successor

to replace themselves.

That means they can never reincarnate.

Only in this way

can a weight-bearing ghost

remain in the human world forever.

You got it right.

Those two

are weight-bearing ghosts.

You're quite knowledgeable.

I wouldn't say I'm knowledgeable.

I've just read a few books.

But I can't tell a story

as entertainingly as you do.

Elder, you've been cultivating here in Mount Zhongnan

for many years, haven't you?

Indeed.

Earlier you said

that if we waited here,

we could see the Bai Ze.

That wasn't a joke, was it?

Long ago, the Yellow Emperor brought 100 Bai Zes

from the shores of the Eastern Sea to the capital

and then sent them in all directions.

During the Western Zhou Dynasty,

Emperor Mu, who loved to travel,

once had four Bai Zes pull a chariot through Mount Zhongnan.

In truth, he used the journey as an excuse

to cleanse the mountain of demons.

After his victory,

he left the four Bai Zes in the mountain

to permanently suppress

the demons of Guanzhong.

Are you saying

there really are Bai Zes in this mountain?

So-called divine beasts

are really just ordinary creatures

that existed in ancient times

and later became extinct,

like

phoenix,

Qilin,

and Bai Ze.

There's no need to make a fuss

when they occasionally appear.

Temple keeper,

aren't you afraid we'll stay here

and not leave?

If we don't see Bai Ze,

how will you explain yourself?

If you don't see Bai Ze,

you can

smash my temple!

Quite a temper.

I'm tired.

I'm going back to sleep.

What about you two?

Let's go.

I'll stay a bit longer to drink.

Huo You.

Where did you touch that woman

who fell off the cliff—

her face or her butt?

Wait.

General, I...

The Princess's Mansion sent two women.

We thought they were quite something,

but surprisingly,

one was dealt with so easily.

You'll be credited

with the greatest merit.

Thank you, General.

You scoundrel, stop!

Commander Li!

This is none of your business.

If you interfere,

don't blame me when my blade shows no mercy!

We're all acting under His Majesty's orders.

With me here,

internal fighting will not be tolerated.

His Majesty...

only sent you.

He has no control over me!

Ding,

what are you doing?

This young lady has quite a temper.

If she doesn't vent her anger,

won't she end up burning herself with it?

Huo You!

Let's have a friendly match

and see what

the Commander of the Princess's Guards is capable of.

Being so gentle with the ladies?

General Ding.

You agreed to a friendly match,

so why use deadly force?

Let me avenge Huo Jing!

See?

She's the one using deadly force!

Commander Li,

a wise person knows when to stop.

You want her to be wise?

Does she deserve it?

Come on!

Since the Tanglong era,

my blade

hasn't tasted blood for a long time.

Enough!

I am the leader appointed by His Majesty.

General Ding, please return to your room and rest.

Fine.

Let's go.

You, as a woman,

instead of getting married,

insist on being a commander.

There has never been a female regimental commander before you,

and there will never be one after!

Otherwise,

what are we generals for?

It's all the General's fault!

Otherwise I would have killed her!

With Lu Lingfeng protecting her,

it won't be easy to kill her.

I purposely provoked her earlier.

Next time she strikes,

we will swarm her

and cut her down.

We must not let her return to Chang'an.

That's right.

Anyone who obstructs our search for the auspicious beasts

must die,

including the General.

General Ding,

His Majesty is a wise ruler

and he will lead the Tang Empire to a glorious age.

But now that he has just ascended the throne,

both the court and common people

are full of gossip.

The appearance of an auspicious beast

is the perfect strategy to silence thousands of mouths.

We cannot be careless.

But His Majesty has entrusted this matter

to Yongzhou Prefecture Office,

with Lu Lingfeng as the leader.

That's because His Majesty wants to test him.

His Majesty values talent,

but the more talented the disloyal are,

the less we can tolerate them.

After all,

what His Majesty urgently needs now

are trusted commanders,

not potential threats.

As for Su Wuming,

he's one of the Princess's faction.

Doesn't he always

claim to be Master Di's disciple

and act so smug about it?

Then for Master Di's sake,

let Mount Zhongnan

be his final resting place.

His Majesty's previous reward

was meant for the heroes of Tanglong era,

for brothers

of the Imperial Guard like us.

Lu Lingfeng

was once among us.

At that time,

who could've thought that his mother

was actually the Princess?

At the very moment his true lineage was revealed,

he stood on

the opposite side of His Majesty.

A pity indeed.

Where is Wei Qi?

He couldn't be so eager for merit

that he went alone

to find Bai Ze, could he?

How ridiculous.

He actually believes

the legendary auspicious beasts exist.

Great Deity Bai Ze,

where are you?

I know you're a divine beast

who can speak in human language.

I'm here to find you.

I mean no harm.

Just now, I specifically paid respect

to your statue at your shrine.

I am very sincere.

Would you please show yourself?

If I am ever granted rank and title,

I promise

I'll build you a golden statue.

Is that you, Great Deity Bai Ze?

Darling,

let's rest early after we finish eating.

Scholar,

traveling at night

with such a pretty lady,

aren't you afraid of encountering demons?

Who says we're not afraid?

I'm terrified, actually.

Then buy a Bai Ze Scroll.

It's the most effective in warding off evil spirits.

Only 90 cash.

90 cash?

So expensive?

Expensive?

Aren't you afraid of being possessed by evil spirits?

If you care about me,

buy me one.

Darling, I...

Alright, alright.

Wait a moment.

Give me the book now.

I've already found a buyer.

I haven't finished reading it yet.

You penniless guy,

don't get my book dirty.

You know what?

This really looks like an original from the Western Zhou.

There are many stories

I've never seen before.

Looks like?

It is!

They offered 90 cash for it.

Give it to me.

So you only have this one scroll?

Just this one.

Then can I read a bit longer?

Only if you buy it.

Alright!

90.

90 cash counted.

Where's the Bai Ze Scroll?

Bring it to my wife.

Sorry, young scholar.

This old scholar bought it first.

Honey,

he bought it.

Look.

This isn't my fault.

Honey,

-There's nothing I can do. -All because you were dawdling.

Don't be mad, alright?

Two's company, and three's a crowd.

May I join you two

for a drink?

Sir,

I...

I was just thinking this water's too bland.

Is that good wine

in your flask?

Yes, it is.

Sir,

have a seat.

Absolutely good wine.

I promise one sip

will make you want 10 more.

I wonder how many sips

that "10" really means.

As many

as you say.

Anyway,

it's up to you.

Sir,

here.

You'd better not drink.

If you pass out later,

who could carry you?

Why won't you let me drink?

It's such good wine.

I must drink it.

Come, sir.

A toast to you.

Counted.

90 cash.

Here.

Sir,

it's good wine.

Really good wine.

Here.

Here.

Thank you, sir.

It's fate that

in this remote temple on a desolate mountain,

we get to drink such fine wine

and meet such a good person.

Here.

Let me fill your cup.

Well,

thank you.

Miss,

please.

-Please. -Please.

Good wine.

Good wine.

Don't close the door.

You're right.

On the way here, Huo Jing fell off a cliff.

Now,

this wild temple is mysterious

and the visitors are strange.

If I hadn't spent 90 cash

on this Bai Ze Scroll,

I wouldn't dare to sleep.

She fell asleep?

I don't know.

After a fierce battle earlier,

she hasn't left her room since.

A fierce battle?

With whom?

The Imperial Guards?

But I didn't hear a thing

in the main hall.

But I heard that monster's cry

very clearly.

Why is it so quiet in her room?

Commander Li didn't escape through a window

to fight that Huo You,

did she?

I checked that room.

There's no window.

The only entrance

is this door.

No wonder you arranged the lodging this way.

How thoughtful.

With your protection,

Commander Li is definitely safe.

However...

Chen He's purse

[Bai Ze Scroll]

might not be so safe.

What do you mean?

I told you not to drink so much, but you did anyway.

He hasn't bathed for half a month.

He smells awful.

Let's continue drinking.

I just took a bath before entering the mountain.

Smell it.

You're...

too bold.

It's not my fault your man can't hold his liquor.

What if he's just pretending?

How could that be?

Does he enjoy watching you

getting teased by another man?

Who knows?

A man's heart

is like the fog in the mountains—

who can see through it?

That's because you're not looking carefully enough.

Later,

I'll let you take a good look.

You're really...

outrageously bold.

Your voice isn't exactly quiet either.

Aren't you afraid of waking him up?

A demon!

Where?

Right there just now.

It had horns

and fangs.

I think

you're talking about the statue of Deity Bai Ze.

If there's a demon in this room,

it's you—

the little temptress daring to seduce someone

under a god's nose.

Maybe

I really was seeing things.

You weren't seeing things—

you were...

lovestruck.

My apologies.

Wait for me.

You're even more eager than I am.

I'm just afraid

you'll rush into my arms

and tear my clothes.

That's exactly what I like about you.

Where are you two going?

Traveling at night?

The road's slippery after the rain.

Aren't you afraid of running into ghosts?

Where we're going

is none of your business!

You're quite skilled

at pretending to be drunk—

waiting till your wife's carried off by another man

before waking up.

What did you say?

You shameless woman!

You let another man carry you?

I-I was drunk.

I didn't know a thing.

Honey,

some other man was taking advantage of me.

You have to stand up for me.

Speak! Which man carried you?

Tell me!

I was drunk.

I don't remember anything.

What's going on?

Search him

and see if he has

Official Chen's purse.

General.

Where is Chen He?

You pair of thieves!

Tell me!

Where did you take Official Chen?

Huo You.

Speak up!

Isn't he sleeping in bed?

That's exactly what I like about you.

He's down?

I've never once failed

when using a knockout drug.

He's an official.

He must have money.

Let's go.

What's

all this noise?

What's...

all this noise?

[Bai Ze Temple]

I guess

Chen He

must have acted foolishly while drunk

and fell into those thieves' trap.

Too embarrassed to face us,

he just left first.

That's possible.

Good morning, General Ding.

Good morning, Official Huo.

Where is Official Wei?

Mind your own business!

What?

Don't tell me Wei Qi also...

You...

Ding,

where is Wei Qi?

He disappeared last night.

He must have been eager to earn merit

and went to find Bai Ze overnight.

So, Ding,

what's the plan for today?

You're the leader.

We'll follow your orders.

Didn't Hermit Baize

say yesterday

that as long as we waited here,

Bai Ze would appear?

The temple keeper's old, half-blind,

and talks nonsense.

You actually believe him?

Of course not.

Good morning, Commander Li.

Did you sleep well?

Yes.

Well then,

let's set out to find Bai Ze.

Wait a moment.

Something's not right.

Well...

Where's our guide, Ling Ji?

Why isn't he up yet?

You mean...

that hunter?

The storehouse next to the kitchen.

That house is tall.

He said he liked it,

so he slept there.

Ling Ji.

How can you still be sleeping at this hour?

Ling Ji!

Well?

He hanged himself.

Do you even know how to examine a corpse?

He was our guide for this trip.

If we really find the divine beast Bai Ze,

he will be set for life

with riches and pleasure.

Why would he hang himself?

Scholar Su is Master Di's disciple

and an expert in autopsies.

His autopsy results are beyond question.

Huo You.

Lu Lingfeng,

do me a favor.

Commander Li,

what are you doing?

Lift Ling Ji's body onto my back.

I want to bury him.

Do you know him?

Do I

have to know him to bury him?

Should we just leave his body to rot in the wild?

Think about it—

if Ling Ji hadn't taken this job as our guide,

how could he have met such a tragic incident?

Wait.

Incident?

Commander Li,

my examination concluded it was

suicide by hanging.

I'm not deaf.

He may have ended his life himself,

but if he hadn't joined this absurd expedition,

I believe

he wouldn't have died.

Lu Lingfeng.

Help me.

[Tomb of Ling Ji]

[Tomb of Ling Ji]

It's General Ding!

Isn't...

Isn't this Wei Qi, Official Wei?

Do I need you to tell me that?

You think I wouldn't recognize

my brother?

Silence, all of you!